oolon** wrote:
I was totally lying about the faggot thing then, just not on purpose - I admitted as much in my apology! So forgetting about that...
I don't think "lying" is the correct term. False memory, maybe? Anyway, no grudges from me.
I did not say cunt *is* a misogynistic term, I said some people (Mainly women) will take it as such and find it degrading and demeaning. I did not say you *are* misogynistic by using it, I said some will take it as read that you are when you use those words. Interestingly someone else here made the point that 'nigger' will fade into irrelevance eventually and not be insulting... Yes that is my point! The words are not magic, the intent is not magic... So what is? Why do *some* slimepitters *not* say 'faggot Josh' or 'nigger Crommunist' but will say 'cunt Rebecca'?
I will argue that the offended might well be the source of the offense, in giving more power to words than they hold. But I and others here have argued this point before, and agreed on this. If you let words have power over you, it's your own fault, not that of those who utter the words. As to "what is magic"? Nothing, if you're a sceptic...
If I had to theorise I'd say it is because you are acknowledging that a lot of gay people and a lot of black people will not know your intent when using the words 'faggot' and 'nigger' to describe a black man or a gay man. You don't want to be seen to be homophobic or racist so you avoid the terms - for their benefit and others who may also make that leap. The *fact* that a lot of women will see you as sexist/misogynistic if you use similar slurs when applied to women is not a concern of yours. Or is it just because the women in question are 'Rebecunt Twatson' etc and you hate them?
Can't help you much there, we don't use these words on a daily basis where I live, and I don't use them at all (except "cunt" in its French variants. That, I use a lot, and so does everybody else).
s being labelled a sexist/misogynist less of a problem than being labelled a racist or homophobe?
No, it's as annoying when it's false. And used as a political weapon.
So far other than assume I'm disingenuous and trying to prove you all racist-misogynist-kitten-eaters I've not seen a lot in way of explanation. Ask yourself what would I gain by proving you lot are homophobes? Racists? Misogynists? FtB-Skepchick hyperbole says this already! I'm probably assumed to be a gullible idiot for thinking you may have other reasons for using these words than inveterate bigotry... NO trolling required.
The reason for using these words is cultural. Some do, some don't. Some do it with natural ease, some go out of their way to insult. But who cares, really? If I were to say x woman is a bitch, or a cunt, or a twat, it would be directed at x, not all women. For exemple: Sarah Palin is a cunt!